Category Archives: Military

Hope Anchors the Soul

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I enjoyed 16 sweet months of my husband’s ship being safe while it was being worked on.  It meant he was to come home every night except duty nights and we’d have dinner as a family, we could have an argument and let it linger without the fear of him going away the next week.  A father-son relationship bloomed from birth to 16 months and that little guy couldn’t get enough of daddy! We didn’t have to expose our little man to much of hardships of navy life for his first 16 months of life.  All he has known is a ship safe in port…a family anchored down as one.

But one day recently that anchor was pulled up and one of the three packed his bags and headed back out to sea with a ship that belongs there, protecting our country.  I knew it was coming for well over 16 months.  But I didn’t know what to expect.

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 I love my baby beyond words can say.  It broke my heart to see him acting out since his daddy left.  When we saw him for a day it was bittersweet because reactions came that were unexpected. My husband put on his uniform and our son lost it.  I stood there completely lost.  I’ve had it together, i assure you there has been moments that is untrue but for the most part i’ve understood and accepted this military lifestyle.  But watching your child confused, hurt, and in pain over things they can’t control called life.  Well, i’m not ready to be okay about it.  I’m still trying to figure this all out, my life feels like someone turned it upside down and shook..emptying all of the strength right out of me and I stand with my cup looking deep at how empty it is all of a sudden.

The point of this blog isn’t to give you a picture of a perfect military wife who has it all together.  I’m here to be a friend who says, ‘I don’t have it all together either, and it’s okay’.  I don’t know what you’re going through or what is troubling you.  I don’t know in what ways satan is trying to rip you to shreds but I do know about having hope in God when times are not pleasant is the one thing we can choose…even when it doesn’t feel good.

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Deployment

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He hugs his pregnant wife and kisses her goodbye.
A man comes up and asks to shake his hand and says, ‘Thank you for your service’.
I choke back a sob.
Be strong Laura..just be strong and don’t cry.
He flashes a smile one last time and turns swinging that green sea bag over his shoulder.
Step after step he moves forward not looking back.
I climb into the car and I start to smile and I pray out loud thanking God for the beautiful day and for my husband.  I ask he’d keep him safe over the months to come and to keep us close.
Oh sweet friend are you walking through this season of deployment? Getting ready for one or are you anxiously awaiting the return of your man?
It’s hard. Don’t let anyone fool you otherwise.
There is nothing normal about having your husband gone for 6+ months.
But can I tell you what i’ve come to learn that i’d hope would encourage you too?
God WILL bless you and redeem that hard time.
The military may direct your families destination but God is in every detail orchestrating the path HE wants your family to be on. Trust Him and go willingly.  There is nothing worse then seeing a military spouse who goes kicking and screaming. I know because i’ve been there and it’s a shame.
You have to make a choice to accept the unfortunate circumstances of your husband’s departure and embrace God’s plan for your family.
Here are a few things that have helped me:
♦Spend time with God
♦See family
♦Pray without ceasing.  (For your spouse, family, and for strength.)
♦Get out of the house! (play group, over to a friends house, lunch or coffee dates with a girlfriend)
♦Serve God (I loved helping in the kids club at church).
♦Write letters, email, (and if you miss a call •breathe•or cry if that helps.) :) Don’t you hate when that happens!
♦It’s okay to cry some days.
♦Have the courage to square those shoulders and do life.
♦Remember the huge sacrifice you are making and see it as a gift to others.  You are in the 1% that serves this country and that’s an honor.  Be proud of your man.
♦Remember that God has chosen you for this. He will provide.
♦Don’t dwell on ‘who has it harder’ be thankful that you are able to go to sleep in your own bed, have the comforts of home and are relatively safe.
♦Choose to love him and work through any differences that arise during the time apart. It’s going to happen and miscommunication will occur but remember to seek the Lord always.
God is still writing my story and I have to admit that my stomach still turns into knots when we receive word my husband will be leaving.  There is not much glory in being a military wife but I have seen how God blesses an attitude that embraces and it’s incredible!
Don’t walk this road alone and defeated.  There are many other families facing the same thing so dare to get to know another women and reach out to her.
I have loved how different wives handle deployments differently because it gives me the right encouragement.  There is no one perfect way to handle a deployment.   These are some things that i’ve picked up from others that i’ve kept close to my heart because they’ve worked.
And to close..
Don’t ever forget that sweet moment when He walks back into your life with a smile and that embrace…oh that embrace is one you will NEVER forget!
Treasure that gift dear one.
I am praying for you today and hoping that you are doing well with whatever season you find yourself in today.
~Laura~
Would love to hear your stories on how you handle deployments!